Dogara Tasks Media on Professionalism

House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara on Tuesday in Abuja charged the media to demonstrate high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Dogara, who made the call at the inauguration of the House of Representatives Media Centre, said that adhering to high ethical standard was crucial in improving the country’s democracy.

While charging the media to report truthfully the activities of the House, Dogara underscored the need for the reports to be balanced at all times.

“As representatives of the people, we will not shy away from our mistakes and we will never seek to cover them.

“The media has a duty to report us in a manner that is fair, truthful and balanced; that is the responsibility that comes with your work.

“Citizens rely so much on information emanating from the media and when distorted information or unchecked facts are presented to the public, it beclouds the kind of choices they make.

“There is always this temptation in the modern media to deviate from the normal norm.

“These days as news is breaking, all social media outlets are breaking them and there is this temptation to jump into an island that is not truly our professional calling.

“But when I read from conventional media, there is this temptation to always believe what is reported because the information is coming from people who are holding themselves up there to be professionals.

“Nothing distinguishes media operation from that mix and you need to adhere to at least minimum standard of ethics; so, anytime you see news from conventional media, your instinct will tell you that this is coming from a professional,’’ Dogara said.